Miami-Dade to fast-track solar installation permits

As a result of the Building Code meetings with industry representatives, Miami-Dade County got the Board of Rules and Appeals to agree to a number of changes that will benefit solar.

For one, solar equipment will be considered "green" for the purposes of qualifying for the free "fast-track" of building permits in the unincorporated county. I hear the County is in talks with interested cities to get them to adopt similar fast tracking for green buildings and solar.

Another biggie is that the County will now consider solar panels as being "non-permanent" equipment so they can be installed as designed instead of being treated like air conditioning equipment and other "permanent" rooftop equipment.

Now if we could get a couple more products through code approval. The County may have a plan for that too. We'll have to wait and see if the Department of Energy approves the recent energy efficiency block grant program list, but there's a strong chance that the County may get the green-light on a project to reduce "market barriers" and help companies with the cost of getting product approval.

Solar VS the South Fla Building Code - round 2

Alright, so it ain't a prize fight, or any kind of fight for that matter. I just needed something catchy to grab a reader or two.

The second meeting of the joint Dade/Broward building code appeals boards is set - this time in Broward. I got word that the meeting will be on March 23 at 10 AM at the West Broward Regional Library in Plantation.

A bunch of industry reps showed up the first time, and I expect that there will be a similar turnout - maybe better since many of the participants came from Broward or points north. Miami's indigenous solar industry being small enough to count on one hand. Getting these code issues straightened out could change that.

Miami-Dade looking to fix Building Code for solar - industry input needed

A bit of local news of big interest to our local solar energy companies sent in by by an alert reader with the Miami-Dade County Sustainability Office:

The Miami-Dade Building Code Compliance Office (BCCO) has been working with Broward County counterparts on issues related to the installation of alternative energy devices - primarily solar energy products - in residential and commercial structures.

A joint Broward/Miami-Dade Boards of Rules and Appeals (BORA) Sub-Committee meeting will be held on February 9, 2009 beginning at 10:00 am. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues with industry representatives to see what recommendations (both administrative and legislative) can streamline future renewable energy projects in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Recommendations from the joint Sub-Committee must, ultimately, be endorsed by both respective Boards.

The meeting will be held at 140 West Flagler Street in the BCCO 16th floor conference room.

Subsequent meetings will alternate between Broward and Dade venues until all issues have been resolved. Questions may be directed to Miami-Dade BORA Secretary, Yvonne Bell. Her office number is (305) 375-2047 or Yvonne@miamidade.gov.

To recap:

Who: The Building Code Compliance Offices in Miami-Dade and Broward

What: First of several meetings to see how they can make it easier to put solar on your home and business.

Where: 140 West Flagler, Miami - 16th Floor conference room

When: 10:00 AM

And I have at least 1 reader!